The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has donated new equipment worth nearly VT11 million to help detect different types of production animal diseases in Vanuatu.

The Department of Livestock says the support is a major boost, making it easier to update the country’s animal disease status.

This week, a team of experts from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (NZMPI), funded by the New Zealand Government, is in Vanuatu to provide four days of training for the Animal Health Section on how to use the new equipment.

Livestock Laboratory Technician, Saravina Matan, said it was previously very costly and time-consuming to send animal disease samples overseas for testing.

“With the Biological Safety Cabinet and other new machines, the work will be faster and easier. All these are zoonotic diseases, meaning animals can pass sickness on to humans,” Matan explained.

Animal health expert Dr. Oliver Quinn from NZMPI said the new machines are safe and will significantly improve animal disease testing.

“With this machine it will take five minutes to process the sample, but the testing process itself is the longest part,” Dr. Quinn said.

The Animal Health Section works with more than 30 extension officers across Vanuatu to identify and manage animal diseases in local communities.

Senior Laboratory Technician, Kaltuk Kalomor, highlighted the importance of animal disease testing for the economy.

“It is important economically. If animal diseases spread in Vanuatu, overseas markets will not see the importance in marketing our meat. At the moment, this will benefit Vanuatu economically,” Kalomor said.

Last year, over 400 samples were sent overseas for testing, costing around VT600 million. These samples were sent to laboratories in Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, and the UK.

According to the Department of Livestock, donors often help cover these costs, but with the new machines in place, testing will now be carried out in Vanuatu.